Quick disconnect hydraulic coupler



Dec. 12, 195@ R. M. ULRICH 2,533,640

QUICK DISCONNECT HYDRAULIC COUPLER Filed Oct. 25, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1? 22am Z/Zra D 1950 R. M. ULRICH 2,533,640

QUICK DISCONNECT HYDRAULIC COUPLER Filed 001:. 25, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 z gwaizd %ZZ/z% 27 73 Patented Dec. 2, 1950 v UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE QUICK DISCONNECT nrnnauuc ooUrLEa Raymond M. Ulrich, Roanoke, Ill.

Application October 25, 1947, Serial No. 782,050

- 3 Claims. (Cl. 284-19) 2 1 The present invention relates to a conduit couto provide a coupling for hydraulic conduits pling device which is particularly suited for couwhich is locked into position by a cam. pling and uncoupling rapidly hydraulic conduits Other and further obiects of the present invenhaving fluid therein under pressure. tion subsequently will become apparent by rei'er- In the use of various types of hydraulic equiponce to the following description taken in conment it frequently is desired to couple or uncou- Junction with the accompanying drawings whereple hydraulic conduits while the fluid therein is in: under pressure. A coupling to be suitable for this Figure 1 illustrates the application of the prespurpose must seal the ends of the conduit to preent invention to a conduit extending between a vent the escape of fluid therefrom, when uncoutractor and a farm implement; pled. In the use of certain types of machinery Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view in an axial it is particularly desirable to provide an arrangedirection through the hydraulic conduit coupler ment whereby in response to a strairi or excessive employed in the arrangement shown in Figure 1; linear motion the hydraulic conduits are uncou- Figure 3 is a partialview oi the coupler shown pled automatically. Such an arrangement, howin Figure 2' illustrating the position of the parts ever, must positively lock the coupling in coupled at one stage in an uncoupling or disconnecting relation irrespective of the amount of hydraulic position;

pressure within the conduit. In other words, an Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to increase in the pressure of the fluid within the Figure 2 showing the positions of the parts when hydraulic conduit must not produce a disengagethe coupling has been substantially separated or ment of the coupler. disconnected;

For example, in connection with hydraulically Figure 5 is a perspective view 01' a cam actuaoperated farm machinery, which is becoming tor which serves to move the two portions of the quite common in use, it is desired to provide a coupling unit into locked or unlocked relation; quick disconnect coupling between the hydraulic Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing power unit which is usually located on the tractor, another form of the invention; and the hydraulically operated farm equipment Figure 7 is a side view of the invention cmwhich is being drawn by the tractor. Many farm ployed in Figure 6 illustrating certain details implements such as plows, disks, harrows and thereof when in coupled relation; other machines are now adjusted by hydraulic Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing mechanisms controlled from a hydraulic power the coupler in uncoupled relation;

unit mounted on the tractor. In a case where Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view as seen in the tractor is drawing a plow or harrow it fre the direction of the arrows along the line 9-0 on quently occurs that the plow or harrow will en- Figure 7 explanatory oi the operation; and

gage and become lodged on some object such as Figure 10 is an exploded view of two of the elea stump, rock or the like. When this happens ments of the female coupling member to illustrate an excessive strain is placed upon the hitch betheir construction.

tween the farm implement and the tractor which In Figure 1 there has been shown or repreis so arranged as to release the hitch when the sented the rear portion of a tractor to which has stress or strain exceeds a predetermined value. been hitched a farm pl men he farm When this happens it is, of course, necessary to i plem n I m y b a 91 W, a h w, pl n er make provision for uncoupling the hydraulic conor other implement which is provided with conduit extending between the implement and the r l a d y hy r lic ylin ers. The imtra t r, plement I2 is connected to the tractor by a draw- It, therefore, is an object of the present invenbar I3 by me s of a pin l whi h passes throu h 'tion to rovide an improved coupling for hydrauhe ton ue or onne in member IS. The tractor lic conduits which may be connected or disconl I is provided with a hydraulic power unit It nected while the hydraulic conduit is under fluid which is to be connected by means of a coupling pressure. device I! and a conduit It to the hydraulic equip- Another object 01' the present invention is to so ment on the farm implement l2. The hydraulic provide an improved coupling for hydraulic conconduit 18 is provided with a clamp 19 which is duits which will automatically disengage the cousecured to a chain 2| which in turn is connected pling upon the application of a linear force to to an actuating lever of the coupling unit II.

a portion of the coupling; The chain 2| is connected to an arm 22 of a Still another object of the present invention is looking and unlocking lever 23 carried by the'ieto provide an improved hydraulic coupling unit male coupling member. 24. The female coupling which makes a seal between the two portions or member 24 has an axial bore 25 provided with a the coupling unit prior to interconnecting the threaded portion 26 for engaging the threaded fluid conduit. extremity of a nipple 21 which is carried by the Still another object of the present invention is flexible conduit I8. The axial bore 25 extends to a tapered portion 2! which connects with a reduced diameter portion 23. The reduced diameter portion 23 is an opening which is adapted to besealedbyaclosureballfl.

The opening 23 communicates with an enlarged axial bore 32 which is connected to still another bore of enlarged diameter 33. Interposed between the bore 32 and 33 is an annular recess 34 an O-ring. The female member 24 is provided with suitable transversely arranged opening into which is fitted a pin 33 which carries a limit stop 31 which is surrounded by a spring 33. The spring 33 biases the ball 3| toward the closed position. The limit stop 33 limits the movement of the ball 3| in a direction towards the right as seen in Figures 2 and 4. Preferably the limit stop 31 is formed in accordance with the teaching set forth in my co-pending application for a hydraulic conduit coupler Serial Number 762,048, filed July 13, 1947.

The male coupling member 33 is provided with an axial bore 4| which has a threaded portion 42 which engages the threaded nipple 43 of a conduit or pipe connected to the power unit It of Figure 1. The axial bore 4| terminates in a tapered portion 44 adjacent the end opening 43. The tapered portion 44 is engaged by a closure ball 43. The motion of the closure ball 43 in a direction towards the left as seen in Figure 2 is limited by a limit stop 41 which bears against a transversely arranged pin 43 which passes through the male member 33 and extends a short distance on each side thereof. The stop 41 is surrounded by a spring 43 which bears against the closure ball 43.

The female member 24 is provided with twotransversely arranged circular releases or openings 3| which intersect the axial bore 33. Each circular opening BI is connected to the left extremity of the female member 24 by a slot 32.

The recesses or openings 3| of the female member 24 receive cam members 53 which are mounted on opposite sides of the locking lever 23. Each cam member 53 has a central recess 54 which is generally of circular configuration which com- 'municates with a slot 55 extending to the outer periphery of the cam member 53. One surface of the slot 55 has a curved configuration 33 which serves as a limit stop for the movement of the operating lever 23 in the uncoupling or unlocking operation. The operating lever 23 has an inwardly pressed portion. 51 which is arranged to engage in snap action a shoulder 53 formed adjacent one extremity of the female member 24 when the lever 23 is in locking or coupled position.

The arrangements illustrated in Figures 1 to of the drawings permit hydraulic conduits to be coupled and uncoupled while the fiuid in the conduits is under pressure. The coupled relationship is illustrated in Figure 2 from which it will be noted that the closure balls 3| and 43 are in contact with each other. Each of the balls, therefore, is displaced from its corresponding seat so as to permit fluid to fiow from one conduit to another through the coupling unit. I For purposes of clarity in disclosure of the drawing the clearance between the end of the male member 33 and the bottom of the bore 32 of the female member 24 has been slightly exaggerated. Thus the openings 43 and 23 of the male and female members respectively are in alignment. Any fluid which may fiow from these openings into the bore 32 is stopped by the O-ring 33. Since only a few which carries a packing ring 33 commonly called thousandths of an inch clearance are provided between the cooperative portions of the outer extremity of the male member 33 and the adjacent portions of the female member 24, it will be ap- Dreciated that very little fluid is contained within the bore 32.

It now may be assumed that the farm implement |2 has struck some object or obstruction which places sufiicient tension upon the coupling bar ll so as to uncoupie the implement from the draw bar |3 of the tractor II. This action produces a tension in the chain 2| which thereby actuates the lever 22. This brings about a rotation of the locking lever 23.

The locking member 23 rotates on the bearing formed by the cam members 33 in the transversely arranged openings or recesses 3| of the female member 24. The rotation of the cam members I3 displaces the extremities of the pin 43 in a direction toward the left as seen in the drawing. The initial movement of' the rotation of the coupling lever 23 moves the male member 33 a distance suflicient to permit the closure balls 3| and 43 to be restored to their respective seats. The slight movement of the two coupling members relative to each other, however, does not unseal the coupling because of the location.

of the O-ring 35. The continued rotation of the locking member 23 is illustrated in Figure 3 which continues until the pin 43 is substantially in the position shown. In the positionshown in Figure 3 the arcuate surface 53 of the slot or recess 35 in the cam member 33 now engages the pin 43 thereby stopping the clockwise rotation of the coupling lever 23.

The continued strain on the chain 2| now produces further longitudinal motion of the female member 24 so that the pin 43 may escape the slot 52 in the extremity of the female member 24 as shown by Figure 4. From the representation of the parts in Figure 4 it will be noted that Just prior to this position the male member 33 has passed out of engagement with the O-ring 35. The respective conduits 21 and 43 which contain hydraulic fiuid under pressure, however, are sealed by the action of the closure balls 3| and 46. The coupling member now is free to permit the female member 24 to become entirely disassociated from the male member 33.

Assuming now that the tractor has been stopped and backed up sufilciently to recouple the draw bar |3to the member IS, the farm implement |2 may be disengaged from the obstruction. Such operation having been concluded it is now possible to recouple the conduit |3 with the hydraulic power supply I. This may be done in "spite of the fact that the closure balls in the male and female portions of the coupling unit are subjected to hydraulic pressure. 7 In recoupling the two portions of the coupling unit they are brought together in a relation similar to that shown in Figure 4. A slight movement of the female member 24 in a direction toward the left will now place the pin 43 in engagement with the cam member 53 so that by actuation of the coupling lever 23 the pin 43 will be moved in toward the central recess 34. This brings about a movement of the female member 24 in a direct-ion toward the left. This movement continues until the coupling lever 23 has been moved up to the position shown in Figure 2 whereupon the coupling member 23 is retained in position by the resilient detent 31 which is in engagement with the set 33.

Figure 6 of the drawing illustrates another embodiment of the present invention employing a coupling member 6| to interconnect the hydraulic conduit l8 and the power unit l6 of the tractor. The coupling unit 6i consists of a male member 62 having a construction similar to the male member 39 of the preceding embodiment. The male member 6| has a transversely arranged pin 63. The male member is sealed by a closure ball 64.

The female member consists of a body 65 surrounded by a sleeve 66. The female member is provided with a closure ball 61 engaged by a spring 68 which surrounds a saddle 69 resting against a transversely arranged pin H. As may be seen from Figure 9 the sleeve 66 is provided at one side with a boss 12 for receiving a cam member 13 which is retained in position by a lock ring 14. The cam member I3 is connected to an operating lever 15 which in turn is connected to the chain 2|. The female body member 65 is provided adjacent one extremity with an enlarged axial bore I6 which is in communication with a reduced diameter bore 17. An O-ring I8 is located at the juncture of the two bores I6 and 11. The female body member 65 as may be seen from Figure has at one end a shell-like configuration which is provided with a plurality of transversely arranged slots 19 which are arranged to be engaged by the pin 63 of the male member 62. The sleeve 66 in the proximity of the slot 19 of the female body member 65 is provided with a pair of bayonet slots 81]. The bayonet slots 8| engage the outer extremities of the pin 63 of the male member 62.

An examination of Figure 7 shows that in the coupled or locked position the sleeve 66 is rotated relative to the body member 65 so as to positively lock the pin 63 in a position to prevent the dis engagement of the male and female coupling portions. When tension is applied to the chain 2! the coupling lever is rotated in a clockwise direction as seen in Figure 7. The rotation of the lever 15 produces rotation of the cam 13 which is in engagement with one extremity of the trans versely arranged pin ll of the female body member 65. This rotation of the cam 13 produces an angular rotation of the body 65 relative to the sleeve 66 so as to displace the pin II from the solid line position shown in Figure 9 to the dotted line position. This action brings the extremity of the pin 63 of the male member 62 in alignment with that portion of the bayonet notch 8| extending to the outer extremity of the sleeve 66.

In order to illustrate the relative positions of the components of the coupling members it has been convenient to show the male member 62 as having been rotated a small amount in Figure 8 so as to show more clearly the [positions of the components in the female member without the confusion of a large number of perspective lines. It, of course, will be appreciated that where the male member 62 is rigidly positioned as by a positive pipe connection to the hydraulic power unit l6, that the male member 62 does not become displaced angularly. It will be noted that the arrangement illustrated in Figures 6 to 10 inclusive operates in a manner similar to the previous embodiment in that a cam member connected to an operating lever produces a coupling, and uncoupling action of the male and female Number portions of the coupling unit 6|. It also will be female portions of the coupling unit prior to the time that the ball closures 64 and 61 are displaced from their respective seats.

While for the purpose of describing and illustrating the present invention, certain embodiments have been illustrated in the drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereby since such variations in the components employed and their arrangement are contemplated as may be commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.

What I desire to protect by United States Letters Patent is claimed as follows:

1. A hydraulic coupler for conduits having therein fluid under pressure comprising male and female portions each provided with a self -closing valve comprising a seat and a closure ball therefor, said male portion having two transverse outwardly extending projections, a pair of cam members carried by recesses in said female portion, said cam members having recesses for engaging said lprojections to move said male portion to and from said female portion, and a pivoted bell crank lever connected to said pair of cams, said bell crank lever being arranged to be responsive to axial strain on said conduits, to move said cam members to release said male portion.

2. A hydraulic coupler for conduits having therein fluid under pressure comprising male and female portions each provided with a self-closing ball valve comprising a seat and a closure ball therefor, said male portion having a transverse pin supporting said seat and extending outwardly to form two projections, a pair of cam members carried by recesses in said female portion, said cam members having recesses therein for engaging said projections to move said male portion to and from said female portion, and a pivoted bell crank lever connected to said pair of cams, said bell crank lever being arrangedto be responsive to axial strain on said conduit to move said cam members to release said male portion.

3. A hydraulic coupler for connecting and disconnecting conduits under fluid pressure comprising male and female portions each provided with a self-closing valve arranged to seal said conduits when said portions are upcoupled, said male portion having a pair of outwardly extending transversely arranged projections, means mounted on said female portion tocouple and uncouple said portions including a pivoted bifurcated lever carrying a pair of cams each provided with a recess for engaging said projections, said female portion having a pair of transverse openings, said cams extending inwardly into said openings, said cam recesses each having a surface portion arranged to engage said projections when said portions are being disconnected thereby to limit the movement of said lever.

RAYMOND M. ULRICH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 162,169 Hopkins April 20, 1875 398,059 Leland Feb. 19, 1889 804,272 Schwarz Nov. 14, 1905 1,074,244 Carence et al Sept. 30, 1913 2,307,427 Smith et al. Jan. 5, 1943 2,383,423 Huflered Nov. 2, 1943 

